GREENSBORO, N.C. (August 27, 2011) – Megan Devine (Kingsport, Tenn.) and Ivey Rice (Johnson City, Tenn.) each recorded a double-double as they combined for 39 kills and 22 digs in leading the ETSU volleyball team past Coastal Carolina, 3-2 (23-25, 25-20, 25-15, 22-25, 15-8), on the final match of the UNCG Invitational on Saturday night.

ETSU finished the weekend with a 3-1 record to earn second place in the event, while Coastal Carolina dropped to 2-2, to finish third in the tournament. The Bucs finished the day a perfect 2-0 after defeating North Carolina A&T, 3-0.

“I thought we continued to get stronger and we became more confident as the match went on,” said ETSU head coach Lindsey Devine. “We had some amazing rallies and even though we didn’t always come out on top after those rallies, we kept fighting and showed a lot of resiliency.”

Devine finished the match with a game-high 20 kills, while also adding 12 digs, a block, and a service ace. This was her second match of the season with at least 20 kills and it was also her second double-double of the weekend. Meanwhile, Rice had a career-high 19 kills and 10 digs in just her fourth collegiate match. Defensively, ETSU got superb efforts from Kiley Tamblyn (Torrance, Calif.) and Katie Muey (Alexandria, Ind.) as the two combined for 46 digs. Freshman Jamie Rutledge (Kingsport, Tenn.) had a stellar game at the setter position as she dished out 53 assists, while also adding three kills, six digs, and two blocks.

ETSU out-hit Coastal Carolina .236 to .182, while also finishing the match with a 10-4 advantage in blocks. The Bucs are now 16-3 in their last 19 matches when recording 10 or more team blocks.

Coastal Carolina jumped out to an early 6-3 lead in the opening set. ETSU quickly responded by going on a 4-1 run to tie the score at 7-7. Both teams traded points on the next several possessions until the Chanticleers broke an 11-11 tie by winning the next three points to take a three point lead. However, the Bucs tied the score on several occasions and finally took the lead at 21-20 on a CCU attack error. After a McKayla Barber (Columbus, Ind.) kill tied the score at 23 apiece, Coastal Carolina won the next two points to clinch the set, 25-23.

The second set was very tightly contested throughout the first half of play. Then, with the score tied 18-18, ETSU went on a timely 6-0 run to bring up set point. The Bucs got three kills by Rice during the stretch. After Coastal Carolina picked up two straight points to cut the lead to 24-20, Rice lifted the Bucs again with a kill to close out the set, 25-20. Devine and Rice combined for 10 kills in the set to lead the Buccaneer offense.

The Bucs carried the momentum into the third set as they built an early lead thanks to a number of kills from Devine and Rice. ETSU extended its lead and cruised to a 25-15 victory in the set, putting them in front two sets to one. Devine led the ETSU attack with five kills in the set.

Both teams traded points during the early part of the fourth set until the Chanticleers broke a 6-6 tie. CCU extended its lead to 15-10 before ETSU eventually tied the game up at 19-19 on a Devine kill. That was as close as the Bucs would get in the frame; however, as Coastal Carolina pulled away for a 25-22 win to even the match at two apiece.

In the deciding fifth set, Coastal Carolina got off to the quick start by taking a 6-4 advantage. Then, with the Chanticleers in front 7-6, ETSU went on a 7-0 run to lead 13-7. The run was sparked by two Devine kills and two Tamblyn service aces. The Bucs pulled out the victory as senior Jamie Stancliff (Advance, N.C.) recorded a kill followed by a Coastal Carolina error.

It was announced at the conclusion of the tournament on Saturday night that both Devine and Stancliff landed on the all-tournament team.

ETSU returns to action Friday, September 2 for the Blue Raider Bash, hosted by MTSU. The Bucs will take on MTSU Friday night at 8:30 p.m. before matches with Missouri and Austin Peay on Saturday. ETSU will close out the tournament on Sunday against FIU.

For more information on ETSU volleyball please visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the volleyball link.